Rodger, S (Rodger, Sylvia); McKenna, K (McKenna, Kryss); Brown, T (Brown, Ted) Quality and impact of occupational therapy journals: Authors' perspectives AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, 54 (3): 174-184 SEP 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: s.rodger at uq.edu.au 

Author(s): Rodger, S (Rodger, Sylvia); McKenna, K (McKenna, Kryss); Brown, 
T (Brown, Ted) 

Title: Quality and impact of occupational therapy journals: Authors' 
perspectives 

Source: AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, 54 (3): 174-184 SEP 2007 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: accountability; allied health literature; occupational 
therapy research; peer review; survey research 

Keywords Plus: FACULTY MEMBERS; PRODUCTIVITY 

Abstract: Background/aim: With increasing pressure for academic 
accountability, there is a need for the profession to consider the quality 
and impact of its journals. This seems even more pressing because few 
occupational therapy journals have an impact factor, which has become 
synonymous with quality. By surveying authors of papers in occupational 
therapy journals, this study aimed to determine their perceptions of 
indicators Of journal quality and ratings of 19 occupational therapy 
journals on these indicators and to have them provide a global rating for 
non-occupational therapy journals.

Methods: Authors of papers in peer-reviewed occupational therapy journals 
between 2003 and 2005 were invited to complete an online survey. Of 554 
authors, 184 (33%) responded. Most respondents were female (91%); over 40 
years of age (78%); from the USA (29%), Canada (17%), Australia (16%), UK 
(16%) or Sweden (10%); had PhDs or professional doctorates (55%); and were 
academics (53%). The majority (63%) had published between 0 and two papers 
per year over the previous 3 years.

Results: The top five quality indicators rated as very important were 
reputation/prestige of the journal, availability, rigour and quality of 
the manuscript review process, timeliness of review and publication, and 
impact on policy/practice. Six journals were rated high by respondents 
across most quality indicators (American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, British journal of Occupational 
Therapy, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, OTJR: Occupation, 
Participation and Health, and Scandinavian Journal of Occupational 
Therapy).

Conclusions: The results are discussed in terms of promoting research and 
scholarship within academic institutions that are influenced by measures 
of research productivity and quality. Limitations of the study and 
recommendations for future research are included. 

Addresses: Univ Queensland, Div Occupat Therapy, Sch Hlth & Rehabil Sci, 
Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia; Monash Univ, Occupat Therapy Program, Sch 
Primary Hlth Care, Fac Med Nursing & Hlth Sci, Frankston, Vic, Australia 

Reprint Address: Rodger, S, Univ Queensland, Div Occupat Therapy, Sch Hlth 
& Rehabil Sci, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. 

E-mail Address: s.rodger at uq.edu.au 

Cited Reference Count: 25 

Times Cited: 2 

Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 

Publisher Address: 9600 GARSINGTON RD, OXFORD OX4 2DQ, OXON, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0045-0766 

29-char Source Abbrev.: AUST OCCUP THER J 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Aust. Occup. Ther. J. 

Source Item Page Count: 11 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 278MI 

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